76ers Andrew Bynum Out Indefinitely

Trading for Andrew Bynum in August, the Philadelphia 76ers are now not sure when the center will be able to play for them, if he plays for them at all.

Two weeks after announcing hopes that he would be cleared to return to practice on December 10th, Sixers manager Tony DiLeo recently stated the team no longer has a timeline for his return and at this point he will be out indefinitely.

The player has bone bruises in both knees and is dealing with what his doctors call a "weakened cartilage state." He is also believed to have done some additional damage by bowling recently.

During the time of the trade four doctors reviewed the MRI's and the franchise was aware of the calculated risk taking him on. DiLeo said the state of Bynum's knees has worsened since the team traded for him and it's changed the team's risk outlook.

Bynum is still doing low-impact rehab and the team is hoping that rest will heal the cartilage. The team is also consulting experts around the world and examining his rehab closely. He has been instructed to avoid any activity that could cause stress on the knees.

No surgical options have been discussed by either the team or the player at this point, as such a procedure could put him on the bench for a year. Bynum and the team are currently biding their time in hopes that the center recovers and can play before the final year of his $16.5 million contract is up.